clarinet

1 of 2

noun (1)

clar·​i·​net ˌkler-ə-ˈnet How to pronounce clarinet (audio)
ˌkla-rə-;
ˈkler-ə-nət, 
ˈkla-rə-
: a single-reed woodwind instrument having a cylindrical tube with a moderately flared bell and a usual range from D below middle C upward for 3½ octaves
clarinetist noun
or clarinettist
ˌkler-ə-ˈne-tist How to pronounce clarinet (audio)
ˌkla-rə-

Illustration of clarinet

Illustration of clarinet

clarinetist

2 of 2

noun (2)

clar·​i·​net·​ist
variants or clarinettist
ˌkler-ə-ˈne-tist How to pronounce clarinetist (audio)
ˌkla-rə-
plural -s
: a performer on the clarinet

Examples of clarinet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Greenspan learned to play the clarinet as a child and also played flute, saxophone and piano. — Barbara Hagenbaugh, USA Today, 22 June 2026 Greenspan played the clarinet and saxophone and briefly attended the Juilliard School. — Marty Steinberg, CNBC, 22 June 2026 Dierdre Cook has played clarinet with the band for 14 years and Sara Eikenberry has done the same for nine years. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2026 The woodwind quintet—featuring flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn—has a repertoire that blends light classical favorites by composers like Mozart and Debussy with iconic themes from film scores. — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for clarinet

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French clarinette, probably ultimately from Medieval Latin clarion-, clario

Noun (2)

German klarinettist, from klarinette clarinet (from French clarinette) + -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1733, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clarinet was in 1733

Rhymes for clarinet

See All Rhymes for clarinet

Browse Nearby Words

clarina
clarinet
clarinetist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clarinet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarinet. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

clarinet

noun
clar·​i·​net ˌklar-ə-ˈnet How to pronounce clarinet (audio)
ˈklar-ə-nət
: a woodwind musical instrument in the shape of a cylindrical tube having a single-reed mouthpiece
clarinetist noun
or clarinettist
ˌklar-ə-ˈnet-əst How to pronounce clarinet (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on clarinet

Nglish: Translation of clarinet for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clarinet

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